Custom estate homes, waterways, boats and nature trails help make Long Cove in Deerfield Twp. a unique residential community.

Construction in the neighborhood began in 2004. Today, it is made up of 110 custom-built homes. Currently, 102 acres of land have been developed, with 36 acres left to develop within the next five to seven years.

“Long Cove is such a beautiful community with fabulous landscaping and sidewalks,” said Michelle Hall, president of the Long Cove Homeowners Association and a resident of the neighborhood. “Photographers come to take wedding and prom photos on the beautiful bridges and waterways. It is simply stunning throughout the four seasons.”

Long Cove is made up entirely of custom estate homes, with a price range of approximately $900,000 to more than $2 million. There are nine classic architectural styles, including Tudor, French and English Country styles, that have been approved for construction in the neighborhood.

These options attract mostly families and empty nesters, explained Steve Bosse, vice president of Robert C. Rhein Interests, Inc., the development company for the neighborhood.

Long Cove residents enjoy community activities including organized pool parties, holiday parties and a variety of neighborhood gatherings throughout the year, he said.

“Homeowners are very involved in Long Cove, and we have active participation in landscaping, social, welcome, pool and other committees,” Hall said.

Some residents have their own pools, but most use Long Cove Community Center’s two pools. There are numerous other perks, too, Bosse said.

“Long Cove is a unique community,” he said. “There are no communities like it in this part of the country. Long Cove has one mile of navigable waterways with a boat ramp, a $3 million community center comprised of two swimming pools, spa, fitness facility and clubhouse, and two miles of hiker and biker trails.”

Residents also have access to canoes and kayaks, and enjoy fishing and abundant wildlife in the area, including Canadian geese and herons, Hall said.

The community’s nearby attractions also are a draw, Bosse said.

One of Long Cove’s unique features is its walk-ability to surrounding parks, shopping centers and businesses, he said. These include Cottell Park, a 46-acre park that includes soccer fields, tennis courts, baseball fields, basketball courts, a walking path, a fishing pond, picnic shelters and playgrounds; Deerfield Towne Center, a lifestyle shopping center that features more than 50 national brand stores, specialty boutiques, furniture stores, restaurants, entertainment and a movie theater (Regal Deerfield Towne Center Stadium 16) and a Life Time Fitness center.

Long Cove is located in the Mason City School District. The district was ranked “Excellent” on the Ohio Department of Education’s 2011-12 Ohio Report Card and “Excellent with Distinction” on the 2010-11 report card.

The surrounding community has recognized Long Cove for its unique offerings, too. In fact, the neighborhood has shown off its homes to the public during Homearama events in 2005, 2006 and 2008, Bosse said. The Home Builders Association of Greater Cincinnati hosts the show, he said. In addition, Long Cove won Community of the Year in 2005 and 2007, an honor also awarded by the Home Builders Association of Greater Cincinnati.

“If you want beautifully designed homes by some of the best builders in Cincinnati, Long Cove would be the ultimate choice,” Hall said. ” … It is probably the jewel of Deerfield Township. … Once you buy into Long Cove, it would be difficult (to) live anywhere else.”